You throw the ball. You catch the ball. You hit the ball…Of course, baseball fans know that this line from Bull Durham is far from true, part of the humor of the movie and a huge part of the fun of the game. This blog is a space to talk about baseball, being a baseball fan, all of those things that make the game fun and the Angels, because they make baseball fun for me.

No Spring Training Fast Pass but Position Players Report and Bam Bam Is Back

After a long winter without baseball, the start of Spring Training is so exciting that for a couple of days it almost feels like baseball season is just about to begin…and then we remember that Spring Training is a lot like going to Disneyland as a kid – you’re excited for weeks before the trip. You can barely sleep the night beforehand imagining all of the rides you’re going to go on and the fun you will have. You are bouncy and giddy the whole drive to the park and, then, you’re finally there! You run into the park barely able to contain your glee and race to your first ride…where you have to wait in line for two more hours before you can board the roller coaster. Yeah, it’s kind of like that.

But once you get on that first ride, oh boy! And getting to the park is the first exciting step, of course. So it goes with Spring Training. I am thrilled it’s here! But I’m at that point where the fact that Opening Day is still six weeks away has sunk back in. I’m still, that excited little kid. But I’ve settled back down into waiting mode. Oh well, at least while we’re waiting, there are actual player interviews on MLB again, interviews taped earlier in the day, not back in September. And there is news! Lots of news, as far as the eye can read. It’s a bit of a wait still, but it’s now a more pleasant one.

Today’s news as the position players enjoyed their first workout was 90% fantastic! Kendry took an official batting practice on the main field and reminded everyone why we call him Bam Bam, knocking pitches into the scoreboards and stands from both sides of the plate. Whooo hooo, this is the kind of news I wanted to hear! Bobby Abreu reported to the field as his usual cheerful self and sounds like he is ready to assume the DH role, which had been a point of concern. Maicer Izturis is healthy and excited to make a play for full time third base and leadoff slots. If he can stay healthy all season it would be a first, so we’ll see how that goes, but healthy and eager is a good sign. When Maicer is in the lineup, good things happen.

The only bad news this weekend is that Brandon Wood is injured and resting from a back strain. He is the last player who can afford to be starting off Spring Training slow. Honestly though, after last season, I don’t have it in me to worry about this one. I like the kid. He has a good attitude and is willing to work hard and I would love it if he somehow turned things around this season and became strong hitter and a reliable third base, but I don’t know if this is possible. If somehow he proves himself in ST and gets another shot at third this season, I want a hard cutoff date in place. If Wood doesn’t perform by that date then the experiment has to be over. Folks can take a little fabric paint and turn all of those “Free Brandon Wood” t-shirts into “Free to a good home: Brandon Wood” t-shirts.

15 Comments

Kendry’s nickname is Bam Bam? LOL. Isn’t that a Smurf character or something? Hey, if he’s banging the ball off walls (and over the walls), that’s great news. So exciting that the “real” spring training is finally underway.

Jane – Bam Bam was Barney Rubble’s son in the Flintstones. The nickname actually comes from us fans misunderstanding of the “Van Van” in Kendry’s walk-up music. But mispronouncing it Bam Bam wound up being appropriate given the Flintstones character’s penchant for thwacking things great distances with a really big club, so it stuck. Yes, it is great news that he’s hitting well and that everyone is at Spring Training now!
KristenThis is a very simple game…

Too bad there is no Express Pass at Spring Training. Like you, I get a little worked up as players start to file in, but then I ignore them for a few more weeks until the snow in front of my house melts away.
Mikehttp://tebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

Kristen – congrats on making the front page of MLBlogs.com. You’re on Mark’s radar on! Shine!

And Morales as “Bam Bam?” Love it!

Oh, yes, if we all had a Fast Pass to Spring Training, I’d be in Tampa crashing at a friend’s and hitting everything from Bradenton to Port Charlotte to Lakeland! Sadly, Fort Myers is a bit far away from Tampa…

I am right there with you on the rollercoaster analogy.
The excitement is so extreme that first couple of days, then it subsides a touch until you feel that surge of energy again as games are just over the horizon.
Congrats on the front page spot on MLBlogs.com today. MLB is feeing a bit “angelic” this week, which is fine since my team used to have a demonic first name (lol).
Hearing a strain, pull or even a twinge right now can set a player back for up to 4 weeks. This is the time of the year for precautionary methods. Better to be sitting today resting than in the middle of a heated series in May or beyond.
Again congrats on the front page recognition….

Woohoo! Kristen! This well deserved that you made the front page of the MLB Blog page! I knew it was a matter of time! Congratulations! And I love the nickname Bam Bam!Now go celebrate with a glass of California wine!
Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com

They started running ads for tickets here in Toronto. That got me excited. Sadly, I agree with you on Wood. Its too bad as I thought he had so much potential, I know the Jays had been in many prior trade talks for him. Anyhow, I wouldn’t worry, you’ll probably be feeling a whole lot better when Mike Trout makes his way up.

Jeff – I have a feeling that Bam Bam will be baseball’s biggest proponent of the celebratory golf clap this season…though, really, he wasn’t doing anything that over the top when he got hurt. It was just one of those bizarre things. I reserve full judgment on Wood until after ST. He isn’t a liability in ST. Once we hit April though, that better be a very short cutoff date.
Mike – It would be harder to get into the Spring Training spirit with snow on your house, I’m sure. At least they start airing ST games next week!
Randy – Thank you so much! I didn’t even know until I read your comment – kind of like a friend elbowing you to say hey, you’re up on the jumbotron, he he. Yeah, I’m in the same boat with the Cactus League – can’t afford a hotel and the Arizona friend who would lend me his sofa is on the other end of the state.
Michael – LOL! But of course, MLBlogs wouldn’t be much fun without all the conversation. Thanks!
Rays Renegade – Thanks! Yeah, MLB was feeling awfully Angelic this week and I am grateful. I agree, precautionary measures are a really good idea during Spring Training, all the better to start of the season well. But, while I wouldn’t want Wood to work through an injury before the season’s even started, I worry about him in particular starting behind.
Emma – Thank you so much Emma! Good idea – I’m enjoying a glass of wine as I type. :)
HTBM – Subtle ;). Seriously though, welcome back. I’ll be sure to check out your blog again.
Welikeroy – Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting! Ticket ads are definitely cause for excitement. Angels tickets go on sale Saturday and I can’t wait! Yeah, I am pretty excited about Trout and hope to catch him in one of the exhibition games in late March.
KristenThis is a very simple game…

It’s always nice seeing another Angel fan here on MLBlogs! :-) Hope you’re ready for the long and exciting season ahead! I’m excited! I’m still worried about the bullpen but hoping that takes care of itself as the season goes on.

Bam Bam! He better take care of himself! No more broken legs over home plate celebrations. I’ve never been through so many emotions at once! It was all just a shock wave to me.

Hey Mimi, thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting. I am thrilled to meet another Angels fan and am so excited for the season to start! I am less worried about the bullpen in general – I like this offseason’s acquisitions – than I am about the closer role specifically. But we’ll see how it all plays out. Yes, I hope Kendry becomes a fan of the golf clap celebration this season and stays healthy.
KristenThis is a very simple game…

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